Responsible Business - Let's take responsibility

Taking responsibility for the environment and local community has been an important part of Rezidor's broader commitment to sustainable development for many years. In 2001, this commitment was fortified and placed within the scope of a programme called Responsible Business (RB). Each hotel has a unique RB Action Plan covering areas such as community outreach, environmental improvement, employee well-being and health and safety. To read more about the RB programme, please go to www.responsiblebusiness.rezidor.com.

Our hotels are engaged with both local charity groups and Rezidor's corporate international charity organisation, the World Childhood Foundation. The mission of Childhood is to defend the rights of the child and to promote better living conditions for vulnerable and exploited children at risk all over the world.

Here are some of the Responsible Business activities and achievements of this hotel:

• Battery collection boxes
• Separation of waste (public and back areas); Cardboard, paper, glass
• Distribution of the Responsible Business Fact Sheet on all of our Sales Calls.
• Record and monitor consumption of gas, electricity, water and waste
• Fluorescent lights recycled
• Preventative Maintenance Program
• Photo cells and timers installed in our low usage areas
• RB committee with a team member from every department in order to involve all staff in RB activities
• Every new hotel employee receives Responsible Business training during their induction, and then participates in extensive training annually
• Food donation twice a week to the the Orthodox Day support for 'street' children
• Support Latvia's most ambitious and spectacular modern library project in Europe - if not the world, 'The Castle of Light' by sponsoring manufacturing of an embossed donation collection box/ informative stand and locating it in the Hotel's lobby. By doing so, we will be helping to build greater international awareness of Latvia's UNESCO supported National Library project, as well as, by displaying the hotel logo on it, establish a connection between Radisson SAS and the most advanced project of today
• Donating used furniture and textiles to several charity organizations - SOS Latvia, Dzivesprieks, Salvation Army during planned renovation end of this year
• Responsible Business Project 'Summer Job For Teenagers' (June- August), started at the Radisson SAS Daugava Hotel 2 years ago. It is a possibility for children of our employees (15 years +) to work in our hotel during their summer holidays. These young people were of great help doing simple but important daily jobs (i.e. different cleaning at the Housekeeping Department, writing thousands of key pockets for group arrivals for the Front Office, etc.). These jobs normally do not ask constant assistance, but are time consuming. It is a win-win project for all parties involved - parents being sure that at least one month of long summer holidays is exciting and useful for their kids; teenagers get their first work experience earning their first money. We are happy to have these young people not only because they are great help to us but also because it is wonderful to see them growing up, becoming more self confident, responsible and proud as well. We also have to keep in mind that by being the first employer we can become the turning point in choosing their future career and who knows, we might be colleagues one day again..
• Sponsoring 'Kas Notiek' in January organized by Diena (Radisson SAS Daugava hotel in cooperation with the largest daily newspaper DIENA organized the Latvian national competition for the 9th grade student's called "WHAT IS HAPPENING?"  The contest is gaining popularity very fast and the publicity is impressive. In October-November the students had to answer questions in a form of a written test to demonstrate how much they know about the most important events, people, and a great variety of issues which are not included in the school books. The winners received the PCs from IBM and participated in the Awards Ceremony at Radisson SAS. The Prime Minister of Latvia Mr. A. Kalvitis opened the Awards Ceremony which traditionally takes place at Radisson SAS hotel main ball-room, after which there is concert, disco and the buffet. We are very happy that the schoolchildren are willing to broaden their horizons and learn more than the school program requires. Sponsoring this event is part of the Responsible Business program for us. Learning more about the world affairs is very important. We trust that these bright children will make informed decisions in the future and contribute more to making our environment much better